Pelargonium plant named ‘KLEPZO7200’

ABSTRACT

A new  Pelargonium  plant particularly distinguished by a good compact growth habit that is ideal for pot plants, early flowering, dark green foliage, brilliant purple-red flower color, and good tolerance to weather conditions, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Pelargonium zonale.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPZ07200’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelagonium, botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘KLEPZ07200’. The new cultivaroriginated from a hybridization made in July of 2003 in Stuttgart,Germany. The female parent was the Pelargonium plant ‘KLEP01012’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 13,743), while the male parent was the proprietaryPelagonium plant ‘Z 21 222’ (unpatented).

The new cultivar was first propagated in July 2004 in Stuttgart, Germanyand has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart,Germany over seven generations. The present invention has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexualpropagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in Switzerlandon Jul. 6, 2007 and in Canada on Apr. 5, 2007. ‘KLEPZ07200’ has not beenmade publicly available more than one year prior to filing of thisapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Good compact growth habit that is ideal for pot plants;    -   2. Early flowering;    -   3. Dark green foliage;    -   4. Brilliant purple-red flower color; and    -   5. Good tolerance to weather conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

This new Pelargonium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographwhich shows overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage ofthe plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures. The photograph is of a plant aboutthree months old, grown in a greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart,Germany, in January to April 2008.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEPZ07200’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on three month oldplants which were planted as rooted cuttings in 12-cm pots in January toApril 2008, and then grown in a greenhouse with covered glass. Colorreadings were taken under natural light in the greenhouse. Colorreferences are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Geraniacaea.        -   Species.—Pelargonium zonale.        -   Common name.—Pelargonium (Geranium).-   Parents:    -   -   Female.—Purple flowered Pelargonium plant ‘KLEP0101’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 13,743).        -   Male.—Proprietary Pelagonium plant ‘Z 21 222’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Height.—22 cm to 26 cm.        -   Spread.—22 cm to 24 cm.        -   Life cycle.—Spring, summer to autumn.        -   Form.—Rounded, bushy.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—18 to 20 days.        -   Time to bloom from propagation.—Approximately 85 days.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—12 to 22 days.-   Stems:    -   -   Stem color.—RHS 138A.        -   Pubescence.—Present.        -   Stem form.—Round.        -   Diameter.—0.6 cm to 1.5 cm.        -   Length.—Moderate.        -   Internode length.—0.8 cm to 1.2 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape.—Typical of geranium, kidney shaped.        -   Apex.—Round.        -   Base.—Open.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Surface (both surfaces).—Dull.        -   Length.—5.0 cm.        -   Width.—8.0 cm.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137D.        -   Surface pubescence (both surfaces).—Present, short.        -   Petiole.—Length: 6 cm. Color: RHS 138A.        -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.        -   Venation color (both surfaces).—RHS 137D.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.        -   Umbels.—Length: 10 cm. Diameter: 8 cm to 10 cm. Individual            florets of the umbel: Depth: 1 cm to 2 cm. Diameter 4 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Cluster shape: Umbelliferous. Bud shape:            Elliptical. Bud apex: Acute. Bud base: Truncate. Bud margin:            Entire, smooth. Color: RHS 137D.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: 6 to 7. Shape: Rounded. Apex:            Rounded. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Length: 2.4 cm.            Width: 2.0 cm. Color: Upper lobes: RHS 74A. Lower lobes: RHS            74C.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: 5. Shape: Elliptical. Apex:            Acute. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Color (both surfaces):            RHS 137C. Length: 0.8 cm to 1.0 cm. Width: 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 2.5 cm. Diameter 0.15 cm. Color: RHS 137D            and RHS 60B.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 12 cm to 16 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color:            RHS 137D.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Anther length: 0.3 cm. Filament length: 0.6 cm.            Filament color: RHS 155D. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen            color: RHS 33A.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Stigma color: RHS 74C. Style length:            0.5 cm. Style color: RHS 155C. Ovary arrangement:            Club-shaped.-   Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed. Disease and insect    resistance: No particular resistance or susceptibility has been    observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLEPZ07200’ differs from the female parent ‘KLEP01012’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 13,743) by having a red-purple flower color, while ‘KLEP01012’ haspurple and light pink bi-colored flowers.

‘KLEPZ07200’ differs from the male parent ‘Z 21 222’ (unpatented), byhaving a compact growth habit, while ‘Z 21 222’ has a strong growthhabit.

‘KLEPZ07200’ differs from the commercial cultivar ‘Arcona 2000’(unpatented, also known as ‘KLECONA’ in U.S. application Ser. No.09/250,015, now abandoned) by having a more compact growth habit anddark green leaves, while ‘Arcona 2000’ has a medium growth habit withmedium-green leaves.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium plant as shown anddescribed herein.